News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Clay County School Board will issue bids for several building projects in hopes the initial estimates are wrong.
Calling some of the estimates “insane” Thursday night, board members decided to bid the projects in such a way that they could pick and choose which to do. The system trying to decide on how to spend its $2.8 million in ESSER funds.
Chair Benji Bailey said that the estimates were much higher than expected, but that they’re hopeful bids will come in lower. He said that the work being considered are additional bathrooms at Hermitage Springs, a new kitchen, and a new facility for administration at the K-8 school.
“The facility there that we’re using is from 1973, was the first year,” Bailey said. “So traditionally, they don’t last that long. And in part, there are a lot of renovations that are needed especially with the sewer system, and the bathroom issues, so it’s something that is needed for sure.”
Director of Finance Ashley Holmes said that the preliminary cost estimates could be priced in case there are no bids. She said that with all the construction projects occurring now, the project might not get any interest.
“Obviously to do the whole thing, you’re going to have to tighten your purse strings,” Holmes said. “I’m not saying it can’t be done, it might be able to. But it’s going to be overall, everybody’s going to have to be on board with what we need for our facilities and are we willing to get though it (…) I will say this, you’re never going to have $2.8 million to go toward a project like this again. That’s all I do know.”
Bailey said that the next steps would be to wait for the bids to come in, and decide how to move forward. He said that putting the bids out now does not make the school board beholden to any of the projects.
